A couple weekends ago I came to the realization that I
really love this small, boring town. It's often complained about that there's nothing to do here, it's so podunk, everyone is super lame, etc. I don't know what people are thinking, but there is SO much to do! I went to the caves one weekend, to Idaho Falls the next, I've gone to dance parties and movie nights, to walmart late at night, and out to the park to longboard. I've gone to events on campus, over to friends houses for movie nights or to play games. There is
always something to do out here, you just have to look around you. In addition to the atmosphere of the town, I love being at BYU-Idaho. It's a great school with a great spirit and great people.
That being said, here is my top 8 favorite things about this place.
1. The PEOPLE!
- I have fantastic roommates. I've lucked out this semester with girls I don't know too well and girls I haven't ever met. They are all fantastic. We have the same kind of humor, we have the same ideas for how an apartment of six girls should operate. We've already signed contracts for the winter to live with the same six people...that's kind of a big deal.
- The ward I'm in is excellent. It's heavily full of girls, but thus far I really enjoy them. The boys, too. Our FHE group is a hodge-podge mix of people, but it somehow works really well. I'm stoked for my ward. And the guys across the street, because I'm over at their apartment almost as much as I'm at my own apartment.
- The professors are so amazing. I've made the habit of thoroughly researching my professors on ratemyprofessor before actually registering for any classes and it's made all the difference. I have a ton of wonderful teachers this semester who make me actually excited to come to class and do the homework.
2. The Campus of BYU-Idaho.
Have you SEEN the new
BYUI Center? The improvements made on this campus since I've been gone are outstanding. The Manwaring Center improvements are amazing, along with the sky walk and the new gym. The campus is absolutely gorgeous. I love BYU-Idaho.
3. Porter Park
I love
porter park. Granted, the fall and winter aren't prime for spending Sunday afternoons napping on the grass, having picnics with roommates and friends, it's still a glorious place. Can't wait for the spring and warm weather.
4. The Food
Now, I know that Rexburg is pretty limited as far as cuisine goes, but there are some good eats here.
- Taco Bus. There are two on them, but the one that's worth going to is the one that's right by the round-a-bout, across from Rockland. I prefer the macho burrito with steak, but I hear the carnitas are delicious as well. Authentic Mexican food in small town Idaho. In a bus. So good!
- Sammy's famous pie shakes are delicious. I wish I had thought to make a shake with real pie in it... Their concerts are pretty fun, too. I went to a ska concert, ate a banana cream pie shake, and had a good ol' time. Too bad the shakes are WAY over priced...
- It took me five semesters to ever get myself into Wingers. It spectacular like I was expecting, due to the hype people have made, but it's not bad. I rather enjoyed it.
- Sushi in Idaho seems a little bit strange, but Da Pineapple Grill is tasty. I've spent a couple birthdays there for birthday dinner, enjoying myself some scrumptious sushi. I kind of want some right now...
- Frontier Pies has mediocre dinner food, but their pies (excluding the cream pies) are dang good. I haven't had any since I got back to Rexburg, but every time I think of berry pie, their jumbleberry pie comes to mind....mmmm
There are plenty of other places to eat, but they're more fast food , like Taco Bell or Little Caesar's. All the same, there are lots of places I like to eat.
5. The Dancing
I love to dance. I love dance parties, swing dancing, ballroom dancing...pretty much, if it involves moving to music, I want to be there. I'm currently taking a ballroom technique class and I'm loving it. We just started swing dancing and the technique is harder than you'd think, but it's so much fun! I'm stoked.
6. The Snow
Don't get me wrong, the snow is a pain. I haven't yet survived a winter here in Rexburg, so that might change my opinion of the snow, but I can't help but feel giddy and excited when it snows. I think it's beautiful, I'd much rather walk to school in the snow than in the rain, where I'll for sure end up soaking wet by the time I get to class.
7. Movie Marathons
I realize that movie/tv marathons aren't unique to my experience in Rexburg, but they're still a big part. Whether it's
Pushing Daisies,
The Office, or
Hoarders, it's bound to be a good time. It's fun with roommates, it's fun with friends. It's fun with guys from home or guys across the street. It's fun to chat during commercials and tease each other. I feel as though there's this bonding that happens, even though we're all sitting around watching TV. Maybe it's just the people I watch TV with...we get pretty emotionally involved.
8. The SPIRIT here!
Feeling the Spirit is awesome. I feel it here all the time and it
rocks. I'm taking two religion classes, Pearl of Great Price and Family Foundations. Those, combined with devotional, church, and random other moments of spirituality, make life here in Rexburg abundant with spiritual experiences. I find that I'm more in tune with the spirit and less likely to focus on the downer things in life. I feel my trust in God strengthened every day by even the littlest of things. Having the spirit ever present here at BYU-Idaho makes things just that much better.
I was going to make this a list of ten things, but this blog has been at least a month in the making, so it's time to post it. I love Rexburg, it's as simple as that.
